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Two Days Left of School and Updates!

End of the Year!
It is finally hot in NY!  Luckily we only have two days left of school.  We don’t have AC in our classrooms unless there is a medical reason for a child to have it.  So, it has been a grueling last week.  I am changing classrooms rooms (not grades) and have been busy packing and weeding through all my cr*p.  I put a ton of stuff in a “Free Take Me” bin in our faculty room.  Someone actually took the actual bin!  No worries, it was tracked down and put back in the faculty room and jammed with my stuff and that of other teachers trying to streamline.  
I bought my students bug nets from Dollar Tree and insect themed books from Scholastic.  My friend Cara helped me out with this.  She suggested writing “Thanks for catching the first grade bug!”  You can download the tags by clicking the picture above.  
Look at this adorable pencil flower pot a parent made me!  She hand punched the flowers and glued them together.  Then she glued them on pencils.  It is nice to be appreciated!  I am happy with a kind note from a parent, but this was above and beyond!
Each year, I save all the kind parent notes with a Shutterfly photo book that I make.  I originally make the photo books to give to my two class-parents.  I tweak each one so that they are personalized for that parent.  It takes a long time to make the book, but the class-parents really appreciate it.  Once I am done, I put a generic version of the photo book on my Shutterfly site for the other parents to order.   I wish I could share mine with you, but I don’t feel comfortable sharing my students photos on my blog without permission from their parents.  
Updates!
My Primary Colored Polka Dot Classroom Labels & Signs Pack is done and uploaded to TpT.  Click the cover to check it out.  I am working on the coordinating packs and on adding more words to my bright polka dot word wall pack.  Click {here} to see the post on my bright packs and you can get an idea of what I will be creating.  Be sure to follow my TpT store and Facebook Fan Page to be alerted when I post the new items.  
I started a Learning to Listen Linky Party over at Blog Hoppin‘.   Click the picture below to link up!
Personal Updates!
I just started Tweeting!  Click {here} to follow me. 
Look what came in the mail today!
I cannot wait to try it out.  I am sure I can do all sorts of things with my new Cameo!  If you look at the tags I made for the end of the year gift, I had to hand cut the circles, because my punch jammed up!  I am hoping that this beauty will eliminate that problem!  To see what the Cameo can do and get a discount, click {here}.   Leea over at Set this Circus Down has a great Pinterest board on the Silhouette ideas, click {here} to check it out.  
I became a Godmother for the first time!  My best friend since high school chose me to be the Godmother for her gorgeous daughter, Hayden.  She was christenend in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in NYC.  It is the oldest Catholic Church in NYC and it was just beautiful.  Hayden was great the entire time, well until my mom tried to hold her.  She started wailing!  It was so funny.  I took a picture, but I think my mom will be mad at me if I post it here…haha. 
I will be going to Italy soon after school ends.  I won’t be able to answer emails or blog from there.  So please don’t think I am ignoring you!
Pet Updates!
It’s boating season!  My pups are enjoying the nautical life. 
Sophie and Niles, pre-summer cuts
Sophie and Niles after their summer cuts and wearing protective clothing.  I don’t want my babies getting sun burns!

My cat Ella got a summer cut, too!  I think she looks like a “Bobble Head!”  I am glad she is cool and not shedding all over the place. 
“The girls” are spending the end of June and July with a student and his family!  Can you say “THANK YOU” and “PTL” (Praise the Lord as my pal Abby woud say)!  I would not want my cousin to have to watch them too while I was in Italy.  
I hope you are enjoying your summer or last few days of school! 

Filed Under: All About Erica, End of The Year, Free Downloads, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « Getting Students to Listen
Next Post: Back to School Organizational Forms and Activities »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. FirstGradeBlueSkies (Jennifer)

    June 21, 2012 at 3:20 am

    Love the net gift idea!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

  2. YearntoLearn

    June 21, 2012 at 3:27 am

    Enjoy your Italy vacation.

    Yearn to Learn Blog

  3. Jennifer Tilton

    June 21, 2012 at 3:33 am

    Your end of the year gift is so adorable. My brother is in Italy right now with students from his school (he is the principal, Christian school). Your guinea pigs are really cute. My daughters each got a hamster in September and THEY enjoy playing with them. I hope you have a good time on your trip.
    Jennifer
    kindertrips

  4. Natalie

    June 21, 2012 at 4:04 am

    Italy sounds like so much fun! That is the one place that I have vowed to visit before I die 🙂

    I have a long-haired chihuahua, too! Actually, 2 of them 🙂 Your Niles is adorable, and looks a lot like my little Dude, except he is tan.

    Natalie
    TeacheryTidbits

  5. Swimming Into Learning

    June 21, 2012 at 9:56 am

    You are going to love the Cameo! I have one and it is fantastic! I have created so many neat things for my classroom as well as my scrapbooks.

    Swimming Into Learning

  6. Mrs. Scoma

    June 21, 2012 at 11:00 am

    You got a Cameo, too?! So jealous 🙂 I can't wait to see what you'll create!

    ~Laura
    http://www.firstgradeFUNdamentals.blogspot.com

  7. Rachel Lamb

    June 21, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Well, 1. I cannot believe youre still in school! I thought I had the longest wait seeing everyone blog! AND no A/C! I guess I shouldnt be surprised. In NC its been in the 80s-90s since Feb. and no AC til May!
    2. those little fur babies and actual baby are stinkin' cute!
    3. have fun in Italy!!

  8. Terri Thornton

    June 21, 2012 at 11:05 am

    You are going to love your Cameo. I recently traded my Cricut for one. I can't wait to use it in the classroom! Have fun in Italy!

    Terri
    http://www.the-creative-apple.blogspot.com

  9. Courtney Bartlett

    June 21, 2012 at 11:08 am

    Enjoy your last 2 days! I'm moving today too but I have to go back on my summer vacation and do it. Ugh! Anyways, I have been looking at Cameos but wasn't sure if needed one or not. You might convince me to go ahead and purchase one. Enjoy your vacation!

    Swimming into Second

  10. Sarah Mackey

    June 21, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    I have always wanted to go to Italy, it looks so beautiful. Be sure and take pictures to share!! Have a wonderful time.
    Sarah
    Mackey'sClassroom

  11. Kimberly Santana

    June 21, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    I'm interested to see what comes out of the CAMEO! Please share 🙂 Enjoy Italy {so jealous}!

    Kimberly
    The Learning Tree

  12. Mrs. Wilson

    June 21, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    I'm so glad I found your blog! I am a native Long Islander but I moved down to VA for school. The thing I miss most about summer…ROBERT MOSES BEACH! I bet you're thrilled you're almost done with school. I've been out for a few weeks now, but I'll be going back way before labor day 🙁 Cant wait to catch up on your posts 🙂

  13. Heather's Heart

    June 22, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    You go for such a long time….and no a/c…OMGosh! That is cray cray!

    I love your fur babies to death…they are all so precious! =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

  14. S. Simpson

    June 23, 2012 at 9:04 am

    OMG I can't EVEN IMAGINE teaching without AC. I live in Florida so there is no way we could get away with that. CONGRATULATIONS on finishing up the year, have a great vacation.
    ✰ Stacy

    Simpson Superstars

  15. Mrs. C

    June 24, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Give me NILES! OMG he is the cutest!

  16. Angi

    July 6, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    I may have to snag your end-of-the-year gift idea! We will be learning about insects at the end of this coming year, so it would be perfect!

    I've given you an award! Stop by my blog to check it out!

    First-Graders from Outer Space

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